Eric Gujer on Germany as a major power

The Swiss daily's Germany correspondent Eric Gujer analyses how Germany sees its role in world politics: "German foreign policy is currently in a transitional phase. This begins with the way it sees itself. The Federal Republic of Germany used to perceive itself as a middle-size power in Europe. And it still sees itself in this role, although the general set-up has changed. The revision of the balance of power which was cemented in Potsdam in 1945 has led to a loss of importance for the Soviet Union, which has now shrunk to Russia, but also for France, while Germany is among the winners in the 'new world order'. It no longer draws its strength from its economic power alone, as it did during the Cold War. Together with a handful of other states it now possesses the necessary clout to shape international politics. Reunified Germany has grown into a major power, but it's still clinging to its conservative ideal of being a middle-size power."

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